Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay for serodiagnosis of infections with Theileria parva and T annulata.
An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine antibody levels in cattle infected with Theileria parva and T annulata, using antigens prepared from the intra-erythrocytic piroplasm stage of the parasites. Antibody levels in calves infected with T parva increased from the 16th day after infection to reach peak values at days 28 to 35 and then declined rapidly, but in calves infected with T annulata antibody levels rose steadily up to day 40. Similar patterns of antibody production were shown by indirect fluorescent antibody tests. Sera from animals infected with T parva gave higher ELISA values with the antigen prepared from the homologous parasite species than with the antigen prepared from T annulata, but sera from cattle infected with T annulata gave similar high ELISA values with antigens prepared from both T parva and T annulata. Sera from animals infected with T mutans, T sergenti, T velifera, Babesia divergens, B major and B bovis gave only slight or no cross reactions with the piroplasm antigens, but serum from a calf infected with B bigemina cross reacted at a significant level with both piroplasm antigens.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000906:Antibodies